The Alcatel One Touch 320 lacks many of the features that grace modern mobile phones, but an ultra-low price point should appeal to people who just want to talk.
The mobile looks reasonably stylish, in a functional sort of way. The black and white screen measures 112 x 64 pixels and the entire phone measures 106 x 45 x 20 mm and weighs 80g. The buttons follow the standard layout, with a dedicated phonebook key and up and down keys used to navigate the menu.
The menu contains nine folders -- each illustrated with an animation -- that are fairly easy to navigate. The phone can be customised by assigning hotkeys, changing the "idle icon" and assigning one of 15 embedded polyphonic ringtones. The 320 plays at the lower end of polyphonic ringtones, with the tunes not much more than one step up from monophonic tones -- but it is a step up.
The voice function of the phone works well, although the phone book can only hold up to 100 entries. However, the text function of the phone leaves a lot to be desired. Ignoring the lack of MMS, which is to be expected on a budget phone, the main issue we have with the phone is the lack of predictive text. These days no-one has the patience to write an SMS using the multi-tap method, especially after getting used to predictive text.
To be honest, the method of holding down on a button to change the text from capital to lowercase and back takes a little long for our liking as well. Perhaps in order to ameliorate this problem, the phone contains 50 predefined messages sorted into five categories: Emergency, Questions, Appointments, Greetings and Information. Unfortunately, you can't adapt these messages to fit your personal style and circumstances.
One useful thing the 320 does is let you know how many message spaces you have left, rather than just surprising you when space runs out. The phone has the normal audio profile function, with the ability to create your own, and a fish-tank screen saver that can be used.
Alcatel has included a number of security functions with the phone, such as password protection. It has a series of call barring options, including the ability to restrict calls to numbers included in the fixed dialling directory, although this service is operator dependant.
The mobile comes with the ability to manually choose which network you are on -- which is an odd feature because if you choose a network different from your SIM card you won't get any service.
Considering the super-duper 65K colour screens with eight-way joysticks for real life action most phones sport that add enhancements to the games on the mobile, the Alcatel 320 bears up surprisingly well in this department by sticking to the classics.
The mobile includes passable versions of Tetris and Minesweeper, which most people will find sufficient to whittle away the time while waiting for a bus, even if they won't be tossing the PS2 in the bin. The third game included is 'Punch', which involves pressing keys to hit the heads of little mammals as the pop out of holes on the screen.
There is a calculator and diary that gives you dates but doesn't let you enter information on the dates. There is also a world clock, which consists of a map of the world and as you move over the cities it tells you the time in those places. This would be a really cool function if the time was actually correct, but unfortunately there is no way to adjust the time on the clock.
The phone is advertised as having seven hours talk time and up to 120 hours standby time.
The Alcatel One Touch 320 is not a phone to inspire awe and envy amongst your friends. Nor is it designed to synchronise all the aspects of your life into one harmonious whole. The One Touch 320 is a phone designed to allow you to make and receive calls for as little outlay as possible, and in that respect it succeeds well.
Alcatel One Touch 320
Company: Alcatel
Price: AU$119
Distributor: Optus World
Phone: 133 999
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The battery runs out so quickly and I found I cannot choose a 'normal' ring tone for the One Touch 320. If I would have known this I would not have bought it, not everyone wants to hear music every time the phone 'rings'. It should say so on the packaging!